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Monday, January 6, 2014

POPLARVILLE - Pearl River Community College will host the annual Women’s Health Symposium on Saturday, Jan. 25, in Crosby Hall on the Poplarville campus. Featured speaker for the 2014 symposium will be Jean Gatz, who has been bringing her humorous insights into women’s challenges to events for more than 20 years. The symposium also will include a health fair with free screenings, information booths and a bit of pampering by PRCC cosmetology students. PRCC started the symposium in 2007 as a way to address the high death rate among women from heart disease, stroke and other health problems, said Dr. Becky Askew, PRCC vice president for planning and institutional research and chair of the symposium. Approximately 200 women attended the first symposium. “Over the years the participation has grown, and last year more than 400 registered to attend this event,” Askew said. “The 2014 Women’s Health Symposium will once again feature free health screenings and presentations by health professionals and those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions of the health professionals. It is hoped that the symposium will provide the information needed for participants to make lifestyle changes which will lead to healthier and more productive lives.” The Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation again is grand sponsor for the symposium, helping make the event possible with a grant of $17,000. Gatz will open the first general session at 8:30 a.m. with “Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This.” “She comes highly recommended by committee members,” said Brenda Wells, chair of the speakers’ committee and PRCC director of institutional research. Her presentation will be followed by a panel of area healthcare providers who will talk about their specialities, including family medicine, neurology and obstetrics and gynecology, and answer questions from the audience. The health fair will start at 10 a.m. and will include blood pressure, blood cholesterol, pulse oximetry, bone density, dental, memory, Lasik, glaucoma and computerized posture screenings along with manicures and paraffin wax treatments, risk assessments, bilateral weight scale assessments and stress management information. The art walk, featuring the work of artists from South Mississippi, will be open during the health fair as well as before and after the symposium. While participants enjoy the luncheon at 12 p.m., The Voices will entertain. The Voices is an elite vocal ensemble composed of 12 vocalists selected by audition. Director is LaDona Tyson, PRCC director of choral groups. Gatz will lead a second general session with “Clean Out the Junk Drawer of Your Life.” Following her presentation, door prizes will be awarded and the art walk will re-open. Registration fee is $20 if postmarked by Jan. 17; $25 if mailed after that date. Registration materials can be obtained by telephoning 601 403-1317 or emailing womenshealthsymposium@prcc.edu.